Vehicle Shipping in Mentor MN

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

Do you have questions such as what size auto carrier do I need or how much does this cost? Call us now to get all of your questions answered.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Mentor, we never charge hidden fees. Our pricing includes everything that you will need to transport your vehicle from point A to point B – all at extremely competitive rates.

Dependable Service
On time delivery and pickup

Don’t settle for slow response or late deliveries. For over 10 years we have shipped vehicles on time, when and where our customers need them. Call today to see why we’re the best budget auto transport company in Mentor, MN.

Are you on the hunt for reliable auto transport services in Mentor? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport procedure every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience possible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one place to another safely. Most shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. When deciding on an auto carrier service, it’s necessary to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will seek out the ideal carrier for your particular auto shipping requirements, while the carrier is the actual person providing the truck. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

How to Tell the Difference Between Mentor Auto Carriers and Brokers

Odds are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Mentor, then you might be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before choosing a service.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will move vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some bigger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Mentor. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport demands.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Take any personal items out of your car.

All Mentor auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Mentor auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of fuel during transporting. If your gas tank is full, it will end up placing a considerable quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Mentor car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will guarantee you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Mentor auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. The car owner and consumer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Mentor car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Mentor for Your Needs

You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Mentor service to go with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reliable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Mentor

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be mindful that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open option.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Mentor auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the best service.